Genshin Impact Best Weapons Tier List

Choosing the right weapon for your character is one of the most impactful decisions you can make in Genshin Impact, often doubling or even tripling their effectiveness. A well-chosen weapon doesn't just add attack power; it defines a character's role, enhances their unique abilities, and can completely transform your team's performance. This guide ranks the best weapons in the game, providing actionable advice to help you invest your resources wisely and conquer the toughest challenges.

Understanding Weapon Tiers and Their Impact

Weapons are more than stat sticks; their secondary stats and passive abilities shape entire playstyles. While 5-star weapons often represent the pinnacle of power, many 4-star alternatives are incredibly competitive and sometimes superior in specific scenarios. Prioritize weapons whose passive effects synergize with your character's kit rather than just focusing on base attack.

The Elite Tier: Game-Changing 5-Star Weapons

These weapons are the best in their class and can carry a character to their maximum potential. If you have them, they are almost always the optimal choice.

• Hunter's Path (Bow): The undisputed best bow for charged-attack DPS characters like Ganyu and Tighnari. It provides a massive 44.1% Crit Rate at level 90 and a passive that grants a 12% Elemental DMG Bonus for each element in your party (up to 36%). Its special effect, "At the End of the Beast-Paths," further increases Charged Attack DMG by 160% of Elemental Mastery. This turns Ganyu's Frostflake Arrows into absolute powerhouses.
• Engulfing Lightning (Polearm): The best-in-slot for energy-hungry Burst DPS characters like Raiden Shogun and Xiangling. It offers a high 55.1% Energy Recharge substat and converts Energy Recharge over 100% into Attack (up to 80% bonus at R1) and grants an additional 30% Energy Recharge for 12 seconds after using an Elemental Burst. This self-sustaining loop ensures your Burst is always ready and hits incredibly hard.
• Mistsplitter Reforged (Sword): The premier sword for any elemental damage dealer who uses their Normal Attacks, like Ayaka, Keqing, or even Bennett as a DPS. It grants a 44.1% Crit DMG substat and provides up to a 40% Elemental DMG Bonus (at R1) for the wielder's element through the "Mistsplitter's Edge" stacks. Its versatility and raw power make it a top-tier pull.
• Staff of Homa (Polearm): A legendary polearm with a 66.2% Crit DMG substat. Its passive increases HP by 20% and provides an Attack Bonus based on 0.8% of the wielder's max HP. When HP falls below 50%, this bonus increases by an additional 1% of max HP. This makes it phenomenal on Hu Tao, Zhongli (as a Burst support), and even Xiao, blending survivability with immense damage.

The 4-Star Powerhouses: Competitive and Accessible

Don't underestimate 4-star weapons. Several are so strong they rival 5-stars, especially at high refinement. They are often more accessible and a wiser long-term investment for free-to-play and low-spending players.

• The Catch (Polearm): Obtainable for free by fishing in Inazuma, this is arguably the most overpowered 4-star weapon in the game. It boosts Elemental Burst DMG by 32% and Elemental Burst Crit Rate by 12% at R5. This is the definitive weapon for Xiangling and an excellent, nearly best-in-slot choice for Raiden Shogun. Its effectiveness-to-cost ratio is unbeatable.
• Serpent Spine (Claymore): The best 4-star claymore for almost any DPS character, from Itto to Eula. Gained from the Battle Pass, it provides a valuable 27.6% Crit Rate at level 90. Its passive increases damage dealt by 6% every 4 seconds the character is on the field, up to 5 stacks (30% at R1). The trade-off is taking 3% more damage, which can be managed with a shielder like Zhongli or Diona.
• Prototype Amber (Catalyst): A craftable catalyst that is a game-changer for healer and support characters, particularly in teams without a dedicated healer. When the wielder uses their Elemental Burst, it regenerates 4 Energy for all party members every 2 seconds for 6 seconds and heals all party members for 4% of their Max HP every 2 seconds. This turns Mona, Nahida, or even a Prototype Amber user into a pseudo-healer, freeing up a team slot.

Best-in-Slot by Weapon Type: Specific Recommendations

While the above are universal standouts, let's break it down by weapon type for more focused advice.

Swords: Balancing Crit and Elemental Damage

The sword category is stacked with excellent options for both main and sub-DPS roles.

• Main DPS: Mistsplitter Reforged remains the king. For 4-stars, the Blackcliff Longsword (from the Starglitter Exchange) offers Crit DMG, while the Amenoma Kageuchi (craftable) solves Energy issues with its refund passive.
• Support/Sub-DPS: The Favonius Sword is invaluable for its team-wide Energy generation when the wielder lands a Crit hit. The Sacrificial Sword is essential for characters like Xingqiu, allowing him to use his Elemental Skill twice in quick succession.

Polearms: The Reign of Energy Recharge and Crit

Polearms have some of the most defined best-in-slot weapons.

• Best-in-Class: Engulfing Lightning and The Catch dominate for Burst-focused characters. For main DPS characters like Hu Tao or Xiao, Staff of Homa or the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear (with its stacking Crit Rate passive) are top choices.
• F2P Focus: If you don't have The Catch, the Kitain Cross Spear (craftable) is a solid alternative that helps with Energy and boosts Elemental Skill DMG.

Catalysts, Bows, and Claymores: Niche but Nuanced

• Catalysts: The Everlasting Moonglow is niche for Kokomi, while the Kagura's Verity is amazing for on-field DPS like Yae Miko or Nahida. The Widsith is a powerful 4-star gacha option that randomly buffs Attack, Elemental DMG, or Elemental Mastery.
• Bows: Beyond Hunter's Path, the Polar Star is fantastic for Tartaglia, and the Aqua Simulacra is a stat stick powerhouse with 88.2% Crit DMG. The 4-star Stringless is a must-have for support/sub-DPS Fischl and Venti, boosting Elemental Skill and Burst DMG by a massive 48% at R5.
• Claymores: The Redhorn Stonethresher is the best for Defense-scaling characters like Itto and Noelle. The Serpent Spine is the versatile 4-star king, while the Katsuragikiri Nagamasa (craftable) is a great Energy Recharge option for characters like Beidou.

Practical Progression Tips for Weapon Investment

Knowing what's good is one thing; investing smartly is another. Follow these tips to avoid wasting precious resources.

Prioritize Leveling Weapons Over Artifacts Early On

A level 90 weapon provides a massive and guaranteed boost to your base attack and secondary stat. Always max out your main DPS's weapon first before getting lost in the RNG grind for perfect artifacts. The power spike is immediate and reliable.

Refine 4-Star Weapons Strategically

While refining 5-star weapons is a luxury for whales, refining 4-star weapons is a key progression path. Focus your refinement ores on weapons with exceptional scaling at higher ranks, like The Catch (R5), Sacrificial Sword (R5) for Xingqiu, or The Stringless (R5). The improvement from R1 to R5 for these weapons is dramatic.

Use the Blackcliff and Royal Series as Stop-Gaps

The weapons available for Starglitter in Paimon's Bargains (like Blackcliff Longsword or Royal Spear) can be decent placeholders if you lack better gacha options. However, their passive effects are situational and often outclassed by craftable or event weapons. Invest your Starglitter in characters first unless you are desperate.

Key Takeaways

To summarize, your weapon choice is a foundational pillar of character building. Here’s what to remember:

1. 5-Stars Define Meta, 4-Stars Win Games: Don't feel pressured to chase 5-star weapons. Elite 4-stars like The Catch, Serpent Spine, and The Stringless at high refinement are endgame-viable and should be your priority.
2. Synergy Over Stats: A weapon's passive ability is often more important than its raw stats. Match the passive to the character's role (e.g., Engulfing Lightning for Energy-hungry Bursts, Prototype Amber for team healing).
3. Level Weapons First: For a tangible power increase, always max out your main damage dealer's weapon before endlessly farming artifacts.
4. Plan Your F2P Path: Craft Amenoma Kageuchi, Kitain Cross Spear, and Prototype Amber. Farm for The Catch. Utilize the Battle Pass for Serpent Spine if you spend a little. These are the cornerstones of a powerful account.

By applying this knowledge, you can build efficient, powerful teams and ensure your Primogems and resources are spent where they matter most. Happy building, Traveler